With the onset of cold weather, the risk of various diseases of the respiratory system increases. We will analyze what pneumonia is in children (symptoms, treatment will also be considered). This is an acute inflammatory disease of the lungs of a child caused by an infection, and which is necessarily accompanied by damage to the alveoli involved in gas exchange. The disease is quite serious and poses a direct threat to life.
Causes
Latent pneumonia in children is a fairly rare occurrence. Newborn babies, as a rule, suffer from this ailment as a result of exposure to bacteria. After two months and up to five years, the lungs of the child are most vulnerable to viruses, however, with bacterial infection, the disease is quite severe.
Pneumonia in children is not immediately recognized . A cough symptom is characteristic of many ailments, such as bronchitis, tracheitis, etc. If the high temperature (38 and above) does not decrease for more than three days, shortness of breath is present, this may indicate pneumonia.
Other symptoms
There are still signs indicating a disease such as pneumonia in children. Symptom - retraction of the skin in the spaces between the ribs (clearly expressed on the side of the diseased lung). Undress the baby and carefully monitor the frequency of respiration, as well as how the skin topography changes in the above areas. If you saw one or another sign of this ailment, do not hesitate to go to the hospital. Incorrect treatment, as well as its complete absence, can turn into a tragedy.
How is pneumonia treated in children? Symptom detected, the doctor confirmed what next? If we are talking about a baby under one year old, most likely he will be hospitalized. This fate awaits older children, in whom the disease has a severe course. Inpatient treatment is also prescribed if the patient does not have a clear improvement in a day or two after the start of therapy.
First of all, bed rest should be strictly observed, nutrition should be comprehensive and complete, it is necessary to drink a large amount of liquid. In the acute period, it is necessary to take antibiotics, vitamins, cough suppressants, antihistamines, etc.
Decoctions based on expectorant herbs are not superfluous, for example, marshmallows, coltsfoot, licorice, and thyme are suitable. Antipyretic, cardiac, and detoxification drugs are often prescribed. Immunomodulators, massage with warming compresses and mustard plasters are also prescribed. To eliminate respiratory failure, aerotherapy and oxygen therapy, electrophoresis together with physiotherapy can be used.
Condition improvement
Please note that with the correct prescription of the antibiotic, the child will begin to recover almost immediately. The temperature will decrease, appetite will appear. If there is no positive dynamics, then this indicates an improperly selected antibiotic or an accumulation of pus in the lungs.
That's all you need to know about a disease like pneumonia in children. There is not one symptom here, so be careful to recognize the disease in time and take the necessary measures.